Peep sights are an essential piece of equipment for most archery setups, but many archers might be unaware of how to tie in a peep sight themselves. If you do not know how to tie or install a peep sight or need a simple refresher, then you have come to the right place!
What Is A Peep Sight?
The peep sight on a bow is the small aiming device that is mounted to the bowstring. Generally circular in shape, it is designed to help you get a more consistent shot and alignment when shooting and is simply there for you to look through. It is used in a similar fashion to the rear sights of a rifle. It allows you to align the peep sight, the bow sight, and your target altogether. With everything aligned, you can achieve much more consistent and accurate shots.
How To Use A Peep Sight
Although it may sound complicated, using a peep sight on a bow is extremely easy to do. In fact, if your bow is already sighted in and the bow sights are adjusted, you only need to peer through the peep sight in order to use it.
After coming to full draw and following all of the steps to take a proper shot, your peep sight should be resting in front of your dominant eye. Look through the peep sight with the dominant eye and get a clear sight of your bow sights and your intended target.
With some adjusting of your hands, arms, and bow, you will now need to align your bow sights with your target, all while looking through the peep sight. This ensures that everything stays lined up. If you can’t see either the target or the bow sights through the peep sight, you are not in alignment. With the bow sights lined up with the intended target through the peep sight, you are ready to go on to the next steps of the shooting process!
How To Tie In A Peep Sight
One of the most important aspects of using a peep sight is ensuring that it is properly installed and in the correct position. If it is not in the right place, your alignment will be off or the peep sight might be unusable entirely. Here are the simple steps to properly tie in a peep sight to get it just right:
1. Find the Correct Position for the Peep Sight
The first step to tie a peep sight is to find the exact location you need to place it. The easiest way to do this is to get the help of a friend or family member. Knock an arrow and draw your bow back. Position yourself as though you are going to take a shot and utilize all of your usual anchor points. Have your friend take a marker and mark the bowstring at the location where it is level with your dominant eye’s pupil. This will be where your peep sight will go. Everyone’s ideal location will be different depending on the bow, your anchor points, front sights, etc.
2. Place Bow in a Bow Press and Release Tension
Using a bow press, release the tension in your bowstring. Properly inserting a peep sight will require slack in your bowstring that will only come with a bow press. There are many great and economical bow presses on the market. If you do not have one you can borrow one from a friend or rent one from an archery shop.
3. Carefully Separate the 2 intertwined Strands of the Bowstring at Your Marked Location
With enough slack in your bowstring, you can now slowly and carefully begin separating the two intertwined strands that make up your bowstring. Most bowstrings are constructed of two strands that are intertwined. Many times they are different colors to make this process easier. There are also bowstring separator tools that can help you with this step.
4. Place the Peep In Between the Strands at the Marked Location
Most peep sights are small plastic tubes that have a groove or channel on the outside. This allows you to place the separated bowstring strands. Using one hand to keep the bowstring strands separated, use the other to carefully insert the peep sight in the correct position between the two strands so that the strands slide into these notches as you begin to release the tension on the strands. Ensure that the angle of the peep sight is correct as well. Thinking about the angle of the bowstring when it is pulled back is important.
5. Cut Serving and Begin to Tie the Peep In
With the peep sight in the right location, you will now cut a length of serving string. This can be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches in length. This thin string can be picked up at most archery shops or online and is specifically made for this. Begin by looping the serving around the bowstring below the peep and tie a simple knot where the bowstring begins to split. Wrap the serving back around and tie a knot on the other side of the bowstring. Do this 20 times, slowly working your way up the bowstring towards the peep sight.
6. Tighten Serving String and Cinch the Knot
After 20 simple over and under knots, take the excess string and put the tails through the slack to create a cinch and pull tight. Take the excess after this and tie a square knot to finish this section of serving. From there, hold up any excess serving string and use a lighter to burn the tails down to the work you have done, and smash it down flat against the bowstring.
7. Repeat the Process at the Top of the Peep Sight
Repeat steps 5 and 6, only this time do it above the peep sight. This should create two separate places where the serving is holding the split bowstring together with the peep sight in the middle. With both areas tied, take your fingers and slide the serving towards the peep sight to ensure a tight and proper fit with each one.
8. Tie Peep Onto the Bowstring Itself
Once you are done tying both below and above the peep sight, take another length of serving (around 12 inches in length). Lay it on the top groove of the peep sight and wrap it around the sight and the bowstring together. Tie 2 knots above and below the peep (similar to step 5) and finish with a square knot. Use a lighter to remove excess serving material. This will hold the peep sight onto the bowstring in the event of something like a dry fire or dropping your bow.
How to Adjust A Peep Sight
Whether you are installing a peep sight for the first time or have one already on your bowstring that is off, peep sights will occasionally need to be adjusted. Luckily this is a simple process and will only require a few basic steps:
Adjusting a Peep Sight During Installation
The most accessible place to adjust a peep sight is during the installation process. During this time, you can maneuver the peep sight to align it and position it in the perfect spot. Because you already have the bow in a press and tension off of the bowstring, you can make any adjustments or changes to the peep sight in order to ensure it is properly placed and aligned.
Adjusting a Peep Sight After Installation
Adjusting a peep sight after it is installed is a fairly simple and straightforward process. When installed correctly, you shouldn’t have too many issues except for the occasional rotation problem. If your peep sight is not perfectly aligned when you draw back your bow, you can let it down and twist the bowstring until the peep sight is better aligned.
If this problem persists, you may need to utilize a bow press to better adjust the peep sight. After removing tension on the bowstring, add or remove a twist in the bowstring. With each twist or untwist, the peep sight should rotate. This process could take a little trial and error. However, this will allow you to adjust the direction of the peep sight after it has already been tied in.
Small Adjustments to a Peep Sight
Even after proper installation, sometimes peep sights will need slight adjustments as you shoot. Because of things such as the bowstring stretching or changing poundage on the bow, you may need to make these small adjustments down the road. Fortunately, this is very easy to do.
For example, if you need to move the peep sight up or down you can utilize dental floss or extra serving string to loosely hold it in place. With the help of someone else, draw back your bow. Then, have them push it up or down until it’s in the perfect position. Now, you can let down and securely fasten the peep sight. Take your serving and properly cinch it down in place when it is exactly where you want it.
Final Thoughts
Peep sights are an important but often overlooked aspect of accurate shooting. With a little practice, you can begin to tie in and adjust your peep sights. This will give you the confidence and knowledge that you need to take your archery game to the next level!
